Erm, hi.
Yeah, that's me, although I spontaneously abandoned that blog shortly after the above bit of waffling about tyres. Stuff I've done since about the Lakes meet is here -
www.dashmoto.net
Anyway, tyres...
After a year of rallying on the Army front I'd probably think about using a full on enduro front in future, at least for the muddier rallies like the Ryedale...
... but that would mean a second front wheel because you'd kill it in a few hundred miles of tarmac. Not one for riding to the south of France.
Racing aside, I'm still pretty much of the same opinion I was last March, the Army Front/C-02 rear is pretty damn good. I have no problem using them on the road, and would happily do a round trip to the Lot area on them starting with a new set. Maybe 800 miles riding down there for you? They'll still be in pretty good shape for the trails by the time you get there, and should only be half worn by the time you get back.
My bike's still wearing the tyres I fitted for the Beacons Rally back in August. They've seen about four days of rally use, and about 3,500 miles on the road since. Now at the point where I'd want a fresh set for any serious trail riding, but plenty more life in them for tarmac and gravel use.
I didn't go to France/Spain this year, but I have done a few bits of luggaged-up riding. This was on the way back from the Lakes meet in May...
...which is a 350+ mile round trip for me, plus all the riding around up there.
As long as you don't ride like a tit on the way down, they'll be much better for the trail riding part of your trip than something like an E-09 or TKC front.